DVD Collectors Online

The Abandoned, a review by addicted2dvd

The Abandoned
An American woman searching for her birth parents learns she has inherited a house in the middle of a forest in a remote area of Russia. It is the house where she was born. Abandoned and uninhabited for 40 years, it stands in total disrepair and neglect. What she finds is more than an old house. She meets a mysterious man claiming to be her twin brother and together they find the house holds dangerous secrets to a past they don't even remember. They are forced to relive a series of horrifying events and shocking murders that occurred just after they were born, and in the place where they were supposed to die.

My Thoughts:
This is one of the movies that was featured in the After Dark Horrorfest... and if I am not mistaken... the only of the 8 movies that had a larger theatrical release as well. This is a good movie... but a complicated one. It is one you really need to pay close attention to when you watch it. I feel that I still need to watch this one a second time to get some of the finer points of the movie. Unfortunately there is not that much when it comes to extras... just a featurette and some bonus trailers.

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: 2/8-2/10 on February 10th, 2008)

Private Buckaroo, a review by Danae Cassandra

Private Buckaroo
Year of Release: 1942
Directed By: Edward F. Cline
Starring: The Andrews Sisters, Dick Foran, Shemp Howard, Harry James & His Music Makers, The Jivin Jacks and Jills
Genre: Comedy, War, Musical

Overview:
The barest of plots has Harry James being drafted. Naturally, his whole orchestra signs up, too, including Lon Prentice (Dick Foran), his singer who has an attitude adjustment problem. We see the high-jinks of training, a romantic encounter that will serve to straighten Prentice out, and a big show just before the boys ship overseas. All this is just a clothesline to pin on at least 13 musical numbers, and The Andrews Sisters and Harry James do most of them.

My Thoughts:
This is a quick little WWII propaganda musical featuring the Andrews Sisters, whose singing I enjoy a lot but I know isn't for everyone, and Harry James playing some great trumpet. Sure, there's some plot in there too about Harry and his band joining the army and one guy having to learn that he's nothing special, but that's not the point of the film. The point is to recruit. Shemp Howard and Mary Wickes are a lot of fun too, especially Wickes. Recommended if you like these sorts of films.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 2.75/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 21st, 2016)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

11. Gingerbread (1999-01-12)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Jane Espenson (Screenwriter), Thania St. John (Story By), Jane Espenson (Story By)
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Cast

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on March 3rd, 2009)